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WELS Foundation announced it has distributed $2.7 million from more than 300 endowments through its endowment program. WELS Ministerial Education Schools received $1.84 million, and WELS Missions received $480,000 . The remainder was distributed to congregations, schools, or other ministry organizations that benefit from donor-designated endowments.

Rev. Paul Prange, Board of Ministerial Education administrator, says, “The annual endowment distributions are clearly very valuable for our work of ministerial education. They are used almost entirely for need-based student financial assistance and for larger maintenance projects on our campuses. The Lord continues to provide for our needs through his generous people.”

One of the ways WELS World Missions uses the funding from endowment distributions is to send members of the Global Hmong Committee and the Pastoral Studies Institute to train leaders of the Hmong Fellowship Church (HFC) in Vietnam. HFC church leaders explain, “We have the opportunity to learn law and gospel through WELS training. This has strengthened the faith of the leaders and members and has moved the church in a new direction. It has stabilized the HFC from the law tradition of the former way the church did work. We used to think that the law would save us. Now we know we are saved by grace.”

WELS Foundation manages endowment funds established by individuals, congregations, or other WELS organizations for the benefit of Christ’s work through WELS congregations and areas of ministry. An endowment is a donor restricted gift that is invested in perpetuity in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds. Annual distributions from the endowment investment returns provide a source of ongoing financial support for WELS ministries, a way for members to provide a lasting legacy of their Christian faith that supports ministry. Once an endowment is established, additional gifts can be added over time to increase the fund and future distributions.

To learn more about WELS Foundation, visit wels.net/foundation. To learn more about adding to an existing endowment or setting up an endowment for a ministry close to your heart, contact your local Christian giving counselor at wels.net/giving-counselors.

Beginning in August, WELS Investment Funds (WIF) will be offering a new investment option designed specifically to meet the objectives of endowments.

The new portfolio, WELS Endowment Fund, will comprise 75 percent equity and 25 percent fixed income. In addition to this new option, WELS Investment Funds will continue to offer the WELS Balanced Fund, WELS Equity Fund, and WELS Income Fund.

On multiple occasions Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services® (Vanguard), WELS Investment Fund’s investment consultant, presented reports to the WIF board on alternative asset allocations for endowment funds. The reports identified the expected return and volatility statistics for various asset allocations over a 10-year and 30-year time horizon. Vanguard noted the 75 percent equity and 25 percent fixed income allocation was commonly used for endowment funds, and after a thorough evaluation, the board determined this option could benefit WELS ministries’ investments.

WELS endowments – Contribute to one of the synod-established endowments providing regular support and stability for missions, ministerial education, and the operating fund.

Donor designated endowments – Through WELS Foundation, an individual or family can establish an endowment for the benefit of WELS ministries they designate, such as their church, school, and synod.

Congregation endowments – A church or WELS organization can also establish an endowment to benefit local causes like community outreach, scholarships, and building maintenance, as well as wider synod efforts.

https://wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Greetings-young-adults-711x400.jpg400711agoedehttps://wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/WELS-logo3.pngagoede2018-07-10 08:47:542018-07-10 08:47:54There's an endowment for you

The following “true or false” quiz will help you gauge your familiarity with Christian estate planning. To see how you did, check out the answers that follow.

True or False

____ I’m young; I don’t need an estate plan.

____ If my will is up-to-date, I’m all set.

____ A will is a secular document.

____ Adding a planned gift for the Lord’s work means starting over with my attorney.

____ If a person dies without a will, the state automatically takes one half of the estate for probate fees.

All the answers are false. 1. Young families need a will to designate a guardian for minor children. Plus, even young people own assets that can be shared with family and the Lord’s work. 2. Be sure your estate plan coordinates the beneficiary designations for major assets not controlled by your will. 3. You can witness your Christian faith to loved ones through a Christian preamble in your will. 4. Some planned gifts can be arranged with the stroke of a pen after consultation with your advisors. 5. While it is true that the state, in the absence of a valid will, dictates the disposition of the estate, it certainly does not automatically receive half the amount. However, if you die with no will, there may be a large increase in probate costs. Plus, the state—not you—will determine who cares for your loved ones; and there will likely be no charitable distributions.

Years ago, when Phyllis Moore and her husband John (who is now with Jesus) sold their business, each established a charitable gift annuity (CGA). At the time, they did this primarily for financial reasons. A CGA provides a charitable deduction when the gift is made, then fixed quarterly payments to the donor until he or she goes to heaven—at which point the remainder goes to the designated charity. “But,” Phyllis says, “over the years it has become a way to gift to the dozen charities I love to support.”

She uses the payments she receives to give to her church, WELS schools, a campus ministry, and parasynodical organizations—as well as medical foundations. “I like the letters and phone calls from students thanking me. I know how they need it. Those future pastors and teachers are needed, and I am glad I can help them.”

Your Story

The combination of tax advantages, dependable payments, and accessible minimum gift amount make the CGA one of the more popular planned giving instruments. Perhaps it can fit into your Christian giving story as it did for Phyllis. For example, if you are 45 or older and would like to make a gift towards the Lord’s work that provides income during retirement—and a charitable deduction now (while income is higher), consider a version of the CGA called the deferred gift annuity. A deferred gift annuity allows you to make a gift in exchange for fixed quarterly payments starting at a future date and continuing until you go to heaven. Pictured is how a deferred gift annuity would look for someone who is 55, assuming payments begin in ten years. Transferring appreciated assets, e.g. stocks, may be an even more beneficial way to fund your deferred gift annuity since it may allow you to avoid capital gains taxes now and pay them in a more favorable way later.

https://wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Family-on-the-beach2-711x400.jpg400711agoedehttps://wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/WELS-logo3.pngagoede2018-06-07 13:38:272018-06-07 13:49:16"A way to gift to the charities I love to support"

Lawrence Frank of Stevensville, Mich., points to 2 Cor. 9:6-7 as his motivation for giving to God: “If you give from your heart—not because you expect something back—the Lord does reward you.” He and his wife, Gini, give from their IRAs to avoid taxes on their required minimum distributions (IRA charitable distributions are free from federal and potentially state income tax for anyone 70.5 or older). Lawrence says it’s “easy” to give to multiple ministries through WELS Foundation, which distributes the funds per a letter of instruction. If interested in this giving opportunity, visit wels.net/qcd or call your local WELS Christian giving counselor at 800-827-5482.

An endowment fund is a donor restricted gift that is not spent immediately but is invested. Endowments annually distribute a portion of the invested funds to provide ongoing, predictable financial support for our Savior’s ministry.

Giving through an endowment fund provides the following benefits:

An endowment provides a framework for receiving cash gifts, appreciated property (stocks or real estate), and other planned gifts, such as through a will, trust, beneficiary designation on a retirement account, or insurance proceeds.

An individual can use an endowment to continue his or her charitable gifts even after being taken to heaven.

An endowment provides additional funding for current operations as well as money for future and expanded efforts.

An endowment is an ongoing witness of Christ’s love that compelled you to make a current or estate gift (will, etc.) to glorify God and share his love with others.

A donor or group of donors can work with WELS Foundation to establish an endowment fund. WELS Foundation provides a full-service endowment program including promotional material, endowment statements, investment management, and annual distributions.

Many people, out of grateful thanks to God, give a set amount to WELS each year. We praise Jesus for this consistent generosity and faithfully use these gifts to carry out our ministry (see “Your Gifts, God’s Blessings—An Annual Report to Our Members”). Realizing the need for these consistent gifts, some have taken a step to ensure their gifts continue forever!

In their estate plans, they have arranged for part of their remaining assets to go to be given to a WELS endowment fund. The result will be that their current annual gifts continue in perpetuity. To God be the glory!

Here’s how it works: A gift to an endowment fund is not spent immediately but is invested in a diversified investment portfolio. Annual distributions from the endowment funds are used to provide a source of ongoing financial support for our ministries. The endowment is managed in such a way that the distributions are anticipated to keep up with inflation. This method preserves the spending power of each year’s payout.

How do you figure the amount to give to extend your annual gift? Using the typical endowment distribution policy of four percent each year, a bequest that is 25 times the amount of your annual gift will assure that it is financed forever.

Individuals, families, churches, and other WELS organizations can also set up their own endowment funds through WELS Foundation for the benefit of WELS gospel ministry. Learn more and receive free assistance with this type of gift through your local WELS Christian giving counselor. We are grateful for your annual gifts and, as God has blessed you, invite you to explore how you can continue that support.

In March 2017, Nick Krueger, a member at St. Mark’s, Watertown, Wis., and staff member of Representative Terry Katsma of the Wisconsin State Assembly, invited fellow St. Mark’s member, WELS director of Christian Giving Kurt Lueneburg, to testify in front of a legislative committee on a proposed bill that would apply the federal government’s treatment of qualified charitable distributions from an IRA to Wisconsin’s tax code (pictured). That bill was adopted into Wisconsin’s budget law as of 2018, meaning Wisconsin residents 70.5 or older can make charitable distributions of up to $100,000 from their IRAs tax-free at the federal and state levels. Lueneburg shares, “Since 2007, members of our church body who live in Wisconsin have made over $1.8 million in qualified charitable distributions to support our church body’s gospel ministry. Year over year giving since 2007 shows a trend of growing interest. We’ve heard donors mention it would be nice if Wisconsin allowed tax-free distributions as well. Thus, this bill has the potential to increase donor satisfaction and the positive impact on Christ’s work.”

As Christians, we are thankful all year long for everything that God has given us, but the fall season has traditionally been a time for us to reflect on our blessings. It’s a good time to take notice of the abundance we have received through Jesus and to consider how we should manage our gifts from God.

Making a year-end gift is a wonderful way of expressing your gratitude to God for the blessings you have received while helping fund the Lord’s work at the same time. Another reason to make a charitable gift before year’s end are the tax benefits. For example, you can give more for less through a gift of appreciated assets (e.g., stocks, mutual funds, etc.). And donors who are 70.5 or older can make tax-free charitable distributions from their IRAs.

Contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor for information on completing a year-end gift or any question you may have about Christian giving and/or your estate plan.

Retired WELS teachers Ron and Joan Zahn have established several charitable gift annuities (CGAs) over the years. “They seemed to us a perfect tool through which we could meet two major goals in retirement.” Those goals include giving to the Lord while having money for their own needs. As you can see from the illustration, a CGA is a great way for someone 60 or older to do just that (shown for someone 75 years old with payments beginning immediately—payments can also be deferred to a future date).

Giving through CGAs provided the Zahns with “the satisfaction of furthering ministry.” They said, “We found it to be fun to decide which organizations or entities would be the recipients.” They decided to support endowment funds for missions and ministerial education as well as several congregations and area Lutheran high schools that have been a blessing to their family.

“The growth of donor advised funds (DAFs) may be the biggest story in the charitable sector during the last decade,” according to planned giving consultant, Alan Cantor. What is a donor advised fund and why is it so popular?

With a donor advised fund, an individual, family, or corporation makes an irrevocable, tax-deductible contribution of cash, securities, or other property to WELS Foundation. At any time thereafter, the donor recommends distributions to qualified WELS ministries. The fund can be established with current gifts, deferred gifts (such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts), and testamentary gifts (such as wills, revocable trusts, or beneficiary designations for life insurance policies or retirement accounts).

What’s driving the growth of this type of gift? A donor advised fund provides an alternative to the private family foundation. You can accomplish many of the same goals, but with far less administrative work and expense. Some of the benefits include:

• Donor advised funds (DAFs) provide an income tax charitable deduction in the year of the gift to the DAF regardless of when distributions are made.
• As with all gifts of long-term appreciated securities, none of the appreciation is subject to capital gains tax.
• Donors enjoy the convenience of deciding when to contribute to the fund and when to make recommendations for distributions to ministry. They can give to the fund in the years when they have greatest tax liability.
• Donors enjoy encouraging family stewardship by involving children and other loved ones in the decision-making process for the grant recommendations.
• As with all gifts to ministry, there is joy in giving to the Lord and supporting areas of ministry close to your heart.

https://wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Family-on-the-beach-711x400.jpg400711agoedehttps://wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/WELS-logo3.pngagoede2017-07-11 16:32:082017-07-11 16:32:08The donor advised fund - a popular way to give

As a person navigates the WELS Foundation site and reads about certain gifts (for example, the charitable gift annuity) they can click to view a specific illustration for that type of gift and personalize the illustration to their situation.

As always, if somebody is interested in learning more or would like assistance with making a gift, WELS provides Christian giving counselors at no cost or obligation to help WELS members carry out their charitable goals.

WELS Foundation executive director Jim Holm hopes prospective donors find the tools useful. He says, “We want to make it as easy as possible for those supporting WELS ministry—their church, synod, or another WELS organization—to explore the options available.”

Spring is planting time for the future harvest. The ground is prepared and the seeds sown. Then comes the growth and eventually the ripened fruit and the harvest.

The same sequence occurs when donors plan for future ministry support by planting endowments. The “seeds” of cash or appreciated assets are placed in the “ground” of an agreement where growth occurs under the watchful eye of investment managers. Eventually the earnings are harvested and used to fulfill the purpose of the donor’s endowment. The cycle repeats year after year as a specified portion is used for operational expenses or other designations identified in advance by the donor.

Endowment funds are valuable to the synod’s ministry plan because they represent a steady flow of financial resources. They add stability or even allow for new ministry to be accomplished.

Endowments benefit donors as well. Not only is it a way to give to the Lord’s work that continues the offerings they’re giving now and that provides tax benefits, these giving vehicles, which sometimes are named by the donors, create a legacy for the donor so future family members and coming generations will know that the donor was committed to the mission and work of Jesus.

WELS has endowment funds that provide annual support for missions and ministerial education. If interested in supporting WELS ministry through an endowment, you can give to one of these endowments or start your own.

The process of setting up an endowment is quite simple. A donor or group of donors can establish a donor designated endowment through WELS Foundation, which provides the necessary reporting and administration and invests the funds in the cost-effective, professionally managed portfolios of WELS Investment Funds.

Real property values have been rising at a time when interest rates have remained low for an extended period. Financial assets have seen market values increase, too. Is it time to consider making a gift of your real estate to the Lord through WELS Foundation?

You may have a vacation property or undeveloped lot that has appreciated in value over the years. Did you intend to use it a lot more when it was purchased than you do now? It can be given through WELS Foundation to your church, synod, or another WELS ministry without incurring tax on that appreciation. Once we sell it, the value of your gift can be significantly more than had you sold it and donated after-tax proceeds of the sale.

Either way, your gift qualifies for an income tax charitable deduction, but it is typically lower if you sell first. Consider these possibilities for your appreciated real estate.

1. Give the entire property.

As a qualified charitable organization, WELS Foundation can sell the property without incurring capital gain. For example, a lot purchased for $10,000 in 1990 that appraises for $60,000 today would produce a $50,000 capital gain. Instead, a gift toward ministry through WELS Foundation of that same lot avoids the tax on the gain.

2. Give a portion of the property.

Imagine that giving the entire lot doesn’t make sense to you, but a smaller gift might. It is possible to give an undivided interest and accomplish similar goals, though to a lesser degree. A gift of an undivided one-half interest in that $60,000 lot today means that both you and your designated ministry will receive half of the sale proceeds when it sells. Today’s charitable deduction will help offset the capital gains taxes due on the portion that you kept.

The language used to make a gift through your will to the Lord’s work can sometimes be confusing. We talk about making a bequest, but what is that? The word “bequest,” which has its origins in Old English, means a transfer of personal property by will. Many people say a bequest can occur through any end-of-life transfer (e.g., beneficiary designation), not just through a will.

It is common to arrange our bequests in ways that minimize taxes and administrative costs in order to maximize the benefits to family and charity, but what’s the best way to accomplish this? Will your heirs incur income or inheritance taxes or will your estate have estate taxes or hidden income tax liabilities?

Does any of this this confuse you? If so, you’re not alone, and that may be why people put off writing a will. It is intimidating to some folks to set an appointment with an attorney and to discuss unfamiliar topics.

Fortunately, we can assist you with taking the confusion out of bequests. In fact, we want to send you a free booklet, Estate Planning for the Christian Steward, that explains in simple terms the basics of having a will and other steps for establishing a sound, tax-wise estate plan. We can also help you plan a future gift to Jesus through his work at WELS.

We are ready to personally assist in answering any questions you may have without cost or obligation. We can also help you find a qualified attorney, one who will simplify the process for you.

If you are 45 or older and would like to make a gift towards the Lord’s work that provides income during retirement—and a charitable deduction now (while income is higher), consider a deferred gift annuity. A deferred gift annuity allows you to make a gift in exchange for fixed quarterly payments starting at a future date and continuing until you go to heaven. Pictured is how this would work for someone who is 55 with payments beginning in 10 years.

(Transferring appreciated assets, e.g. stocks, may be an even more beneficial way to fund your deferred gift annuity since it may allow you to avoid capital gains taxes now and pay them in a more favorable way later.)

Rev. John Beck and his wife Cindy have found the deferred gift annuity to be a convenient and beneficial way to make a planned gift to the Lord. Pastor Beck says:

Some years ago, I recall a WELS Christian giving counselor commenting that Christians who have given offerings all their life may want to make one lastplanned offering in their death. That made sense to me; the question was how to make that happen. By the grace of God a very generous and supportive congregation enabled us to buy a home near the bottom of a housing market that began to swing sharply upward after we bought. After some medical setbacks and early retirement we needed to sell our home but realized a significant financial gain that would allow us to plan that final offering. Still, lookingahead, we knew that we would need to supplement our income stream. That’s where the deferred charitable gift annuity comes in. With this vehicle, there will be a nice future gift for the Lord’s work, and we will receive lifetime payments. It is a win-win situation that I would encourage everyone to explore.

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If you’re 70.5 or older, you can make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from your IRA to your church, synod, and other WELS organizations without counting the distributions as income for federal tax purposes. WELS member Alan Kohlhaas says the process is “very smooth.” “One check sent directly to WELS from my IRA holder counts as part of the required minimum distribution, but no taxes are paid on the transfer. The QCD also allows me to maximize the donation and use the standard deduction on my tax return.” Learn more at wels.net/qcd or by calling your local WELS Christian giving counselor.

Can you identify the differences between a revocable and irrevocable gift? See whether you think the statements below are true or false.

A gift made through your will is an irrevocable gift.

Both revocable and irrevocable gifts qualify for a current income tax deduction.

Naming WELS as a contingent beneficiary in an IRA is a revocable gift.

A gift that can be recalled before it is completed is revocable.

Donors without a lot of assets are wise to make irrevocable gifts first.

Answers

False. Anyone naming a charity as a beneficiary in his or her will can change the amount and even revoke that gift as long as they are alive. Only at death (when the estate is activated) does that gift become irrevocable.

False. To qualify for a tax deduction, every gift must be completed. Any gift that is revocable will not entitle the donor to a deduction until the gift is transferred to a qualified charitable entity.

True. A contingent IRA gift such as “equal shares to A, B, C, and WELS” can be revoked any time during life. In fact, if B does not survive the IRA account owner, upon death A, C, and WELS will be paid their shares by the IRA administrator.

True. When giving shares of stock, for example, the transaction can be reversed if the wrong stock is mistakenly sent out. Only when the shares are correctly sent and accepted by WELS is the gift complete.

False. People of modest means are normally advised to keep what they have in case it is needed at some point in the future. Changes in health, financial circumstances, or income could mean that an asset irrevocably given away previously, even if placed in a trust, could be seen as a mistake.

What This Means to You
Whether you are thinking of making an irrevocable or revocable gift to WELS, an important consideration is to “expect the unexpected.” In other words, it may be better to give in such a way to preserve your future personal freedom and financial security.

This is just one reason we recommend that you talk with your local WELS Christian giving counselor. He knows the various options for supporting WELS gospel ministry through irrevocable and revocable gifts. He can help you think through the purpose for your gift, the best way to fund it while covering your family’s financial needs, and the right timing. He can also encourage you to talk with your attorney or other capable adviser, and provide information that will help you have that conversation.

God has blessed WELS as members see the benefits of giving to the WELS Missions and Ministerial Education Endowment Funds or establishing their own donor designated endowment fund through WELS Foundation. Some give now because they want to see the results right away. Others make arrangements for their estate assets to be transferred when the Lord takes them to heaven. Some stand in both worlds by giving now and adding to it later through a bequest.

Why do people make endowment gifts to WELS? Here are five benefits.

Giving thanks to God. Our gifts are a recognition that all we have is from God for the purpose of bringing him glory. We worship him for giving us a Savior from sin, Jesus Christ. We appreciate the privilege he has given us to be a part of sharing his gospel with others.

A lasting legacy. Donors often inform their families regarding the endowment funds they establish. Because the fund is permanent, the legacy of support for Christ’s work through WELS will carry forward in perpetuity and influence future generations in the family. The commitment of the fund’s first donor(s) remains as a reminder of their values for children, great-grandchildren, and others.

Continue regular giving. There are a number of donors who recognize that their gifts each year will be missed once the Lord takes them to heaven. Instead of allowing that to happen, these wise givers create an estate gift that is 25 times the amount they currently give. For example, a couple who gives $1,000 annually can endow their gift by making a one-time gift of $25,000. Once the endowment gift is made, their inflation-adjusted annual distributions continue in perpetuity.

Permanence. Donors may see a similarity between their retirement funds and endowment funds in that both are guarded closely, invested separately, and protected so the principal remains intact. Endowments are managed much like retirement accounts, providing needed income in a predictable way while seeking to grow the amount and not have it eroded by inflation.

Strengthening WELS. Every year WELS needs funding for continuing the training of workers, supporting congregations, and doing mission work. That priority for the support of current ministry will always remain. Annual endowment distributions ease some of the financial pressure and allows synod leaders to plan with confidence.

WELS Foundation’s 2016 annual report summarizes how the WELS subsidiary helps members leave gifts as a lasting monument of their faith. The Foundation does this by providing information on different giving opportunities and assistance with gifts through WELS Christian giving counselors. Over the last three years WELS Foundation has administered and distributed more than $14 million in donor directed gifts to various WELS ministries. Of this amount, 72 percent went to WELS national ministries, 9 percent to WELS affiliated ministries, and 19 percent to WELS congregations.

WELS Foundation President, Rev. Kurt Lueneburg, and Executive Director, Mr. Jim Holm, thank God for the many generous gifts the Lord has prompted for the benefit of his kingdom. Quoting the apostle Paul, they state the Foundation’s high privilege: “We administer (the offering) in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help” (2 Corinthians 8:19).

A printed copy of the annual report was mailed in late November to all WELS congregations, area Lutheran high schools, and parasynodicals.

As we thank God for so many earthly blessings and, most importantly, for sending his Son to be our Savior, this is a reminder of one particularly exciting gifting opportunity. Anyone 70.5 or older can make qualified charitable distributions from their IRA of up to $100,000 per year to their church, synod, and other WELS organizations without counting the distributions as income for federal tax purposes. This may be an especially useful gifting strategy for those who do not itemize their income tax deductions.

A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a unique way to support WELS ministry. Make a tax-deductible gift and receive an income stream for life (or have the payments go to loved ones). This illustration shows how a CGA would work for someone who is 75 years old with payments beginning immediately. (Note that rates vary based on age. Payments can also be deferred to a future date.)

Some WELS members enjoy giving in this way so much that they have multiple gift annuities. One donor we worked with exclaimed to his WELS Christian giving counselor, “Charitable gift annuities are like potato chips; you can’t have just one!”

https://wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Senior-couple-walking-in-fall-711x400.jpg400711agoedehttps://wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/WELS-logo3.pngagoede2016-09-28 14:25:342016-09-28 15:04:01A gift that pays income to you or your loved ones

WELS members Dan and Frieda Carow were moved by the love of Jesus to support gospel ministry. They decided to use their IRA because “there are tax advantages.”

When giving through an IRA, anyone 70.5 or older can make tax-free charitable distributions of up to $100,000 per year. The Carows have enjoyed making multiple gifts to churches, the synod, and other WELS organizations in this way.

If you want to take advantage of this unique way to support the Lord’s work, contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor. Dan and Frieda say, “We were very pleased with the assistance.”

A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is set up in such a way that you can find joy in supporting WELS ministry while also resting easy thanks to the stability provided by this type of giving instrument:

Partially tax-free payments to you or someone you designate during your lifetime

Payments for the rest of your life (or, in the case of a two-life CGA, payments continue for the lifetimes of both annuitants), no matter how long

Backed by all the assets of WELS Foundation

Stable payments, even if investment markets slump

A significant income tax charitable deduction on this year’s return

And the process for setting up a CGA is simple. Call your local WELS Christian giving counselor for personalized assistance. A minimum gift amount of $10,000 will start your guaranteed quarterly payments, which you can even have automatically deposited into your bank. At the end of your life, when the Lord takes you to heaven, the remainder of the gift will go to the WELS ministry or ministries that you designate.